Vasco da Gama on the Indian Ocean
“In search of Christians and spices”—
a False Narrative da Gama fed
to the Zamorin of Calicut (Kozhikode).
King John II sent da Gama’s armada
around Africa to find sea routes to China
with ports for trade and soon for colonies.
Fearing a hostile reception
from brown-skinned Indians
who spoke unknown languages,
da Gama brought armed trade
for the first time to the Indian Ocean.
Greeted by the Zamorin of Kozhikode
with hospitality and
a procession of thousands,
da Gama gave the ruler a few hats,
cloaks, some branches of coral,
and a chest full of sugar.
Living on the gold standard,
the Zamorin rejected these gifts.
Da Gama was seized by greed,
refusing to pay customs duties in gold.
All the other traders paid in gold.
A ruthless Christian man, da Gama
sent brutal messages of imperial power.
He burned a ship full of Arab pilgrims.
He cut off the lips and ears of a spy.
King John made da Gama governor of India,
granting him the privileged title of “Viceroy.”
Portugal celebrates da Gama’s legacy
in Os Luisiadas, the national epic poem.
~Jamie Armstrong
Leave a Reply